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6 on ballot to represent District 2

Candidates share different perspectives

Six people have their sights set on representing one of the fastest growing legislative districts in Nebraska.

6 on ballot to represent District 2

Candidates share different perspectives

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Updated: 12:00 AM CDT Apr 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. —

Six people have their sights set on representing one of the fastest-growing legislative districts in Nebraska, District 2, which encompasses Cass County and parts of Sarpy and Otoe counties.

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From the main streets of growing towns to the challenges facing rural farmers, Nebraska's second unicameral district has unique needs.

"Agricultural needs to be represented, but also, I'm part of the metropolitan area. We have to work together and we do," said candidate Ron Nolte.

Nolte said his years as Cass County commissioner and serving on the Regional Health and Human Services Board show he builds bridges between urban and rural groups. Nolte praises an example, improving Highway 75 into Cass County.

"If we don't have infrastructure, we don't have anything in this state," Nolte said.

Robyn Larson, meanwhile, said infrastructure is the key to creating jobs in the district she hopes to represent.

"That's very important for our economic development in Cass County," Larson said. "We need to bring more businesses to our small towns and we need to keep those businesses there."

Larson said her years on the Weeping Water School Board and professional project management work would help her prioritize bills in Lincoln, where incumbent Sen. Paul Lambert has another priority.

"Next session is going to be taxes," Lambert said.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman appointed Lambert to the District 2 seat last session.

Besides Lambert's work to solve problems facing child welfare in the state, the lawmaker said Nebraska needs to cut tax burdens without cutting vital services.

"Maybe spread the base over more people and more industries and make it more palatable for everyone here," Lambert said.

Bill Kintner said there's plenty to trim in Lincoln.

"It starts with income tax, car tax, property tax. When you die, they're going to tax the heirs for your kids to get it. If you have a company, it's corporate taxes," Kintner said.

Kintner said touting tax cuts is his top priority, along with protecting schools, roads and public safety and changing things like Medicaid.

"We could make Medicaid closer to private insurance and have slight co-pay(s). Fund some of it and discourage its use," Kintner said.

Mel Leutchens also wants to work statewide protecting schools, saying voters are worried about education's future.

"I think by finding some new ways and some new formulas hopefully, for support of schools," Leutchens said.

Leutchens said he hopes to use his experience working with interfaith organizations.

"We're going to have government. We're going to live together, so my idea is let's make it work," Leutchens said.

Speaking to government's reach on his seven acres near Greenwood, Robert Howard said his top priority would be limiting the use of eminent domain whether it's for projects like a pipeline out west or something else in his district.

"I would prefer to change it so that the state, city and county cannot own the property. If they have to, they can lease it for the period of time they will need it," Howard said.